13 Ridiculous Home Improvement Fails That Will Make You Cringe

Everyone loves saving money, but not all DIY projects are a savings in the end, as these homeowners found out the hard way.

Watch your step

Courtesy James Brock, Boston Home Inspectors
It’s a pain carrying things up and down the stairs, especially when you have a zig zag staircase—but this home improvement could prove especially dangerous if you miss a step. “This homeowner removed the railings and spindles to make it easier for them to carry things upstairs,” Brock says. “They never took into account that a grandma or a child may lose balance and need something to grab. That would be a hard fall.” Try out these expert plumbing tips before you start monkeying with the pipes.

Who wants to get electrocuted?

Courtesy James Brock, Boston Home Inspectors
Every homeowner should know the essentials, especially when it comes to safety issues. In this DIY disaster, did the water spigot get installed first or was it the electrical box? It doesn’t matter because, as Brock says, “Water flows down and doesn’t mix well with live electricity.” These are the things every homeowner needs to know ASAP to protect their investment.

Support hose

Courtesy James Brock, Boston Home Inspectors
This looks like a convenient way to store a hose. “The homeowner cut the floor joist to fit the garden hose,” says Brock. The problem here is that floor joist is supposed to support the floor. Cutting the floor joist can affect the structural integrity and weaken it.” These storage hacks will banish clutter and have you instantly organized (without putting you in danger).